Zero Hanger re-drafts the 2012 AFL National Draft

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney presents Jackson Macrae with the jernsey after being drafted to Western Bulldogs during the 2012 AFL Draft at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre on November 22, 2012 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Leading into the 2017 season, we at Zero Hanger have decided to dive back into the history books and look at some of the drafts since the turn of the century.

Continuing on from last week’s efforts, we’ll be re-drafting the top 10 from these drafts, so feel free to let us know what you think of our selections, and even comment your own!

After travelling back to the 2011 draft yesterday, we now turn our attention to 2012, a year in which the Western Bulldogs found three gems that would eventually lead them to premiership glory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Jack Viney of the Demons runs with the ball during the round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

2012 AFL National Draft top 10 as selected by Zero Hanger:

Jack Viney

The 22-year-old has been the standout performer from the 2012 draft after being selected with pick 26, as Jack Viney already has a Melbourne B&F trophy to his name (2016 season), and has also been named as the Demons’ co-captain in 2017.

An explosive part of Port Adelaide’s midfield, Ollie Wines’ power makes him stand out from other midfielders across the competiton and especially in the Port Adelaide ranks, as the youngster won the club’s award for the best player under 21 three years in a row.

A member of the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership side, Jake Stringer burst onto the scene in 2015 booting 56 goals to earn himself a spot in the All-Australian team that season, and continued on in 2016 with another solid year.

He’s the best ruckman to come from the 2012 draft after being taken with pick 18, as Brodie Grundy’s athleticism and agility around the ground could see the 22-year-old become one of the most consistent ruckmen in the league in the years to come.

A third Bulldog from their 2016 triumph, Lachie Hunter was taken at pick 49 in the draft and played all 26 games last season and averaged almost 28 disposals a game, the most at the club. He also finished third in their B&F count.

The GWS midfielder has made a strong contribution to the Giants’ line-up since being drafted, although he won’t be able to play again until round eight following a six-month suspension during the off-season last year.

9. Mason Wood

Despite playing just 16 games in his career after being selected at pick 41, Mason Wood has impressed greatly in his short stint at North Melbourne as an important member of their forward line.

*Disclaimer: Despite players being selected in the rookie and pre-season drafts, we have chosen to select only players in this list who were drafted in the National Draft for the purpose of this series.